Therapy Sessions

Individual cognitive-behavioral therapy sessions focus on specific symptoms, problems or goals. Sessions may occur in the office or out in the "real world", depending on the nature of the problem. (For example, sessions addressing a fear of heights may involve going to various tall buildings for exposure). Homework assignments are often given to enable the patient to work on their problems in between sessions and facilitate maximum improvement.

While CBT is particularly effective at addressing symptoms of anxiety, depression and behavioral problems, therapy not only targets the external manifestations and symptoms of these problems but also goes deeper to help individuals understand the underlying core beliefs, family history, and interactions that created and maintain these problems. CBT works by helping people not only understand why they think, feel and act a certain way, but also how to actively change these things to lead a more psychologically healthy and productive life.

When working with children, parents are often involved in the treatment. The amount of parental involvement depends on the age of the child as well as the nature of the problems being experience by the child and the family. Typically, older children will have more time alone with the therapist, while treatment of younger children will require more parental involvement. Parental involvement may consist of simply working with the parents to oversee the child's treatment or more in-depth involvement in the form of parent training, behavior management skills training, or other family based interventions.